Professional Certifications
The NIGP Certified Public Purchaser (NIGP-CPP), The Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and the Certified Professional Public Officer (CPPO) certifications are the three public procurement certifications that are offered by the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP).
To be eligible to sit for certification examinations, applicants must meet minimum education and experience requirements as outlined in the Certifications area of the NIGP web site at https://www.nigp.org
NIGP Certified Public Purchaser (NIGP-CPP)
NIGP’s Certified Procurement Professional designation (NIGP-CPP) targets current and aspiring leaders in the public procurement profession. The program offers unique attributes when compared to other procurement-related professional certifications:
- It is the only certification that is anchored in the Public Procurement Competency Framework. The Framework is rooted in research produced by the Volcker Alliance that seeks effective public service through workforce competencies.
- It is the only certification that specifically targets mid to executive level procurement leaders in the public sector.
- It is the only certification that integrates with NIGP’s Pathways program featuring competency development within 33 learning modules.
- It is the only competency-based certification built on a modular exam that expands beyond public procurement’s technical aspects and assesses the more holistic competencies needed to be successful leader within a public entity, embracing elements of leadership, business principles, and procurement strategy.
And since the NIGP-CPP is integrated within NIGP'S Pathways program, the certification program complements NIGP'S research program and the constantly expanding learning modules; providing assurances that the NIGP-CPP remains relevant to the competencies you need to be a successful leader in your career - today and into the future.
Finally, the NIGP-CPP is one of several ways a procurement professional can be publicly recognized for the achievement of competencies. The program is offered by NIGP – the leading public procurement association that serves as a trusted advisor to more than 3,000 public agencies and 16,000 public procurement professionals throughout North America.
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UPPCC Certifications
UPPCC Certifications are applicable to all public procurement personnel in federal, state, provincial, territorial and local government organizations and are the recognized gold standard in public procurement. For over 40 years, the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)® and the Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)® have been respected by public procurement practitioners and their employers. Both designations demonstrate an individual’s comprehensive mastery of public procurement. Requisite levels of education and professional experience are required to apply.
Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
Eligibility Requirements
Offered through UPPCC Applicants for the CPPB certification program can choose one of two options for applying; Option 1 that includes a degree or Option 2 that does not include a degree. The application option without a degree requires 2 additional years of experience.
Option 1:
- Completion of a 2-year, post-secondary education program that results in a degree, diploma or certificate
- 3 years of experience within the previous 10 years. A minimum of 50% of the required years of experience must be in public sector (remaining experience may be from either public or private sector)
- 72 contacts hours of procurement-related coursework/training completed within the previous 10 years
Option 2:
- 5 years of experience within the previous 10 years. A minimum of 50% of the required years of experience must be in public sector (remaining experience may be from either public or private sector)
- 72 contacts hours of procurement-related coursework/training completed within the previous 10 years
Candidates preparing for the CPPB examination should review the updated UPPCC Body of Knowledge & Competency (BoK-C). The BoK-C represents the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to successful performance as a public procurement buyer.
The CPPB examination covers the six (6) major content domain areas found in the current BoK-C. The percentage listed to the right of each major domain area represents the percentage of the exam that will cover topics from that specific domain area.
Candidates should keep in mind that the certification examinations are based on a broad body of knowledge in the field of public procurement, representing a variety of positions within the profession. The candidate may have expertise in their specific job but should consider all the other positions that are part of the procurement cycle when preparing for testing.
Candidates should review the BoK-C while performing a self-assessment of their individual strengths and weaknesses of the subject matter to be tested. Candidates should study all six domain areas, concentrating on those areas identified by the candidate as areas of weakness and those areas that are heavily weighted on the exam
Certified Professional Public Officer (CPPO)
Eligibility Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher earned from an accredited institution of higher learning
- 5 years of procurement experience within the previous 10 years of which a minimum of 3 years is in a management or supervisory position. A minimum of 50% of the required years of experience must be in public sector (remaining experience may be from either public or private sector), and
- 96 contact hours of procurement-related coursework/training completed within the previous 10 years
Candidates preparing for the CPPO examination should review the updated UPPCC Body of Knowledge & Competency (BoK-C). The BoK-C represents the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to successful performance as a manager or supervisor of the public procurement function.
The CPPO examination covers the six (6) major content domain areas found in the current BOK-C. The percentage listed to the right of each major domain area represents the percentage of the exam that will cover topics from that specific domain area.
Candidates should keep in mind that the certification examinations are based on a broad body of knowledge in the field of public procurement, representing a variety of positions within the profession. The candidate may have expertise in their specific job but should consider all the other positions that are part of the procurement cycle when preparing for testing.
Candidates should review the BOK-C while performing a self-assessment of their individual strengths and weaknesses of the subject matter to be tested. Candidates should study all six domain areas, concentrating on those areas identified by the candidate as areas of weakness and those areas that are heavily weighted on the exam.